05/06/2024 City Council Regular MeetingCity Council Regular Meeting
Agenda May 6, 2024 | 6:00 PM Page 1 of 7
GILROY CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, MAY 6, 2024 | 6:00 PM
1. OPENING
1.1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Blankley at 6:00 P.M.
1.2. Pledge of Allegiance
Council Member Bracco led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1.3. Invocation Father Michael Hendrickson, St. Mary’s Church, provided the
invocation.
1.4. City Clerk's Report on Posting the Agenda Interim City Clerk Beth Minor
advised the agenda was posted on Friday, May 3rd at 8:31 A.M.
1.5. Roll Call
Attendance Attendee Name
Present Rebeca Armendariz, Council Member
Dion Bracco, Council Member
Tom Cline, Council Member
Zach Hilton, Council Member
Carol Marques, Mayor Pro Tempore
Fred Tovar, Council Member
Marie Blankley, Mayor
Absent None
1.6. Orders of the Day
There were none.
1.7. Employee Introductions
Heath McMahon, Utilities Director, introduced Izabela Cirloganu,
Management Analyst.
Police Captain Luke Powell to introduced Lucas Asuncion, Police Officer.
Fire Chief Wyatt introduced Gregory Lucas, Casey Main, and Kevin
BeBee, all newly Promoted to Fire Captain.
2. CEREMONIAL ITEMS - Proclamations and Awards
2.1. Proclamation Proclaiming May 2024 as Affordable Housing Month
2.2. Proclamation Proclaiming May 2024 as Building Safety Month
3. COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE (Informational Only)
4. PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNCIL
4.1. PUBLIC COMMENT BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON ITEMS NOT ON
THE AGENDA BUT WITHIN THE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OF
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Agenda May 6, 2024 | 6:00 PM Page 2 of 7
THE CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
Ron Gurries spoke regarding the City’s homeless encampment ordinance
and lack of enforcement.
Michael Harris asked the Council to support a fall baseball program in
Gilroy as the closest one is in Morgan Hill.
William Owen also spoke regarding a Gilroy fall baseball program.
Irene Garcia spoke regarding having to wait 3 hours in the Police
Department lobby to report a bank fraud incident.
Kristin Brown relayed an incident with a man who was acting crazy and
tried to get into her car while she and her daughter were at the signal light
at Monterey Road and 6th Street.
Paul Brown came to support his wife and daughter and to speak about the
homeless encampments around schools and the use of illegal drugs and
their effects on people.
Robert Butler introduced himself to the Council and spoke about his
accomplishments and having grown up and worked in Gilroy.
David Behzad spoke about the fire that destroyed his business at 7998
Monterey and the past theft and vandalism that has occurred there.
Rigo Gallardo spoke about the need to prioritize safety at construction sites
and the need to hire contractors who embody the values of safety,
responsibility, and ethical conduct.
Trinity Elledim spoke about the need for access to care and social services
for the homeless.
Elizabeth Bertolone advised the Council that she was also having issues
with people stealing gas, vehicle vandalism, and vehicle thefts from her
used car business.
Ron Kirkish spoke regarding environmental strategies and sea level rise
and the Plan Bay Area 2050 has $19 Billion for this process.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
5. REPORTS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Bracco No report.
Council Member Armendariz No report.
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Agenda May 6, 2024 | 6:00 PM Page 3 of 7
Council Member Marques report the new ticket pricing at Gilroy Gardens is working
and they showed only a slight decline in attendance, compared to other amusement
parks. She also spoke about the upcoming Study Session with the Gilroy Gardens
Board on Monday, May 13, 2024.
Council Member Hilton announced the Santa Clara County VTA is seeking proposal
to support VTA’s vision of equitable, transit-oriented communities. He also attended
the California Community Choice Association which represents interests in electricity
providers in California. He also noted that bicycles are an essential transportation
means for those who need to get around.
Council Member Cline No report.
Council Member Tovar congratulated the over 400 African American students who
were recognized for their academic achievements at an event hosted by Santa Clara
University, and also congratulated GECA for being awarded the 2024 California
Distinguished School award and thanked the Gilroy School Board for considering his
idea for School Resource Officer funding.
Mayor Blankley spoke about the rise in northbound ridership on CalTrain by 35%.
Caltrain will have a table at the Bike to Work Community Day on May 16th. She also
gave an update on SB1031.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
6.1. Approval of the Action Minutes of the April 8, 2024 and April 15, 2024
City Council Regular Meetings.
6.2. Approval of Notice of Acceptance of Completion for FY24 CDBG Curb
Ramp Project Phase 2 No. 24-PW-289.
6.3. Approval of a Notice of Acceptance of Completion for the San Ysidro
Lighting/Picnic Area Improvements Project No. 23-PW-281.
6.4. Annual Military Equipment Use Report 2024, per CA Assembly Bill No.
481.
6.5. Transfer of Interest Income from the Museum Vase Endowment Trust
to the Gilroy Museum Fund.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
There being no speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
MOTION: To approve the Consent Calendar Items 6.1-6.5.
RESULTS: PASS: 7-0
MOVER: Rebeca Armendariz, Council Member
SECONDER: Carol Marques, Council Member
AYES: BRACCO, ARMENDARIZ, MARQUES, HILTON, CLINE,
TOVAR, BLANKLEY
NOES:
ABSENT:
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ABSTAIN:
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7.1. Preliminary Design Renderings of the Proposed Gilroy Ice Center
(Sharks Ice)
Staff presented the report and building renderings to Council.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
Palemon Frausto spoke about how this project would benefit the
community and also provide jobs for local construction workers.
Eli Robles noted this project needed the contractor to be committed to
providing health care benefits and they should hire from accredited
apprentice programs.
Jane Howard praised the City for moving forward with this project.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
7.2. FY24 and FY25 Community Development Department Workplan
Update.
Council received the report on the Community Development Department
workplan.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
There being no speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
8. BIDS AND PROPOSALS
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9.1. Conduct a Public Hearing to Approve CDBG Program Year 2024-25
Funding Allocations and Annual Action Plan.
Council Member Armendariz excused herself from this discussion.
Mayor Blankley opened the Public Hearing at 8:13 P.M.
Deanne Everton, the Executive Director for Rebuilding Together, shared
how the funds they receive go to helping people make critical repairs to
their homes.
Mayor Blankley closed the Public Hearing at 8:16 P.M.
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MOTION:
a) Approve the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
funding allocations and Annual Action Plan for Program Year
2024-25.
b) Direct the Community Development Director, or designee, to
submit the Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD), and further authorize the
Community Development Director, or designee, to make any
changes to the Annual Action Plan as needed to comply with
CDBG submission guidelines.
RESULTS: PASS: 6-0-1
MOVER: Carol Marques, Council Member
SECONDER: Fred Tovar, Council Member
AYES: BRACCO, MARQUES, HILTON, CLINE,
TOVAR, BLANKLEY
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN: ARMENDARIZ
10. INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS
10.1. City Council Downtown Committee (Part 3) - Subcommittee Reports
and Recommendations – Code Enforcement.
Susan Jacobsen, Downtown Committee member, reported on their findings
on downtown code enforcement issues and the stated the need for an
Code Enforcement Officer dedicated to downtown.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
There being no speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
10.2. Customer Service/Relationship Management Program
Council received the report from staff regarding the new Customer
Service/Relationship Management Program.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
There being no speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
10.3. Receive Draft Updates of the City’s Annual Shared Cost Sidewalk
Replacement Program
Staff shared the draft updates to the annual shared sidewalk replacement
program and received feedback from the Council.
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
There being speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
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10.4. Approval of an Exception to the CalPERS 180-Day Waiting Period for
Work After Retirement for Ogarita Carranza (Retired Annuitant) to
Serve in an Extra Help Position in the Public Works Department
Mayor Blankley opened Public Comment.
There being no speakers, Mayor Blankley closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Adopt a resolution of the City Council of the City of Gilroy
approving the exception to the CalPERS 180-day wait period and
appointment of Ogarita Carranza to an extra help position in the Public
Works Department.
RESULTS: PASS: 7-0 ROLL CALL VOTE
MOVER: Dion Bracco, Council Member
SECONDER: Rebeca Armendariz, Council Member
AYES: BRACCO, ARMENDARIZ, MARQUES, HILTON, CLINE,
TOVAR, BLANKLEY
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Enactment No.: Resolution No. 2024-20
11. FUTURE COUNCIL INITIATED AGENDA ITEMS
12. CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORTS
13. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORTS
City Attorney Andy Faber spoke regarding the Grants Pass, Oregon public camping
case and Senate Bill 9 as it pertains to Charter Cities.
14. CLOSED SESSION
14.1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Pursuant to
GC Sec. 54956.8 and GCC Sec.17A.8 (a) (2)
Property: City-Owned 536 Acres at Hecker Pass (Including Gilroy
Gardens Theme Park), 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, Gilroy, CA (APN’s:
810-17-024, 810-17-026, 810-17-029, 810-17-030, 810-17-031, 810-18-
002, 810-18-013,
810-19-005, 810-19-007, 810-19-010, 810-19-011, 810-19-014)
Negotiators: Jimmy Forbis, City Administrator; Victoria Valencia,
Economic Development Manager
Other Parties to Negotiations: Paul Nakamoto, Bay.Org (DBA
Aquarium of the Bay/Bay Ecotarium)
Under Negotiations: Price and terms of payment for sale or lease
The Council went into the Closed Session at 9:25 P.M. and all Council
Members agreed to stay in closed session.
15. ADJOURN TO OPEN SESSION
Mayor Blankley advised no reportable action.
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16.ADJOURNMENT
The meeting ended at 9:41 P.M
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing minutes were duly and regularly adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Gilroy.
/s/Beth Minor
Interim City Clerk